Paraffin removing device



June 23, 1942. l. A. MILLER 2,287,319

PARAFFIN REMOVING DEVICE Filed July 14, 1939 5 SheeiZS--Sheekl l June 23, 1942. A. MlLLER 2,287,319

PARAFFIN REMOVING DEVICE Filed July 14, 1939 3 Sheecs-SheerI 2 "lll/f/I/ 57 June 23, 1942.

Il Il lu ll ll ll ll l. A. MILLER PARAFFIN REMOVING DEVICE Filed July 14, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ZZ Z5 Patented June 23, 1942' PARAFFIN nEMovme nevica lraA. Miller,

Houston, Tex., assigner to Herbert C. Qtis, Dallas, Tex.

Application .my i4, 1939, seriai No. 284,417 22 claims. (ci. 16s-1s) 'Ihis invention relates4 to new and useful improvements in parafn removing devices.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved device for removing paraffin from the walls of a Well tubing which is so constructed that it may be-run into the well on a flexible line, such as a wireline or cable, andwhich may be lowered through the upwardly owing well fluid without materially interfering with said flow.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved paraffin removing device which may be lowered through the well tubing, or conductor, on a exible line and which has means for automatically locking or arresting the device against upward movement during the lowering operation, in the event that an excessive well pressure, or a sudden upward surge of the well fluid, occurs, thereby obviating the danger of the device being blown or forced upwardly from the well tubing.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a device, of the character described, which is provided with improved locking means which rides on the wall of the tubing or conductor through which the device is lowered and which is so arranged that no gripping action is had upon downward movement of said means through the tubing, said means being adapted to immediately grip the tubing wall upon upward movement of the device, whereby upward displacement of said device, during the lowering operation, is prevented; said locking means being so constructed that said means may be retracted and held in such retracted position to permit removal of the device from the well tubing, when desired and after the paraffin removing operation is completed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved paraffin scraper carrying a tubing gripping device normally in a non-gripping position but sensitively so held, whereby a sudden or excessive upward pressure below the device will cause the actuation of the gripping means to arrest upward movement of said scraper.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improvedparan removing device which is capa- .ble of being lowered into the well tubing ona flexible line to perform the scraping operation and which may also be removed from said tubing on a flexible line, whereby the removal of the paraffin is facilitated and the time and labor required is reduced to a minimum. y

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved scraping member for parafn removing device, which may be lowered through the well fluid flowing upwardly through the tubing y and which is arranged to be rotated by thefiowing fluid,` whereby a faster lowering of the device, as well as an improved scraping and removing action, is accomplished.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved parain remover, of the character described', which is suspended from a/exible line and which may have a jarring element interposed between sai'd line and said device, whereby, when necessary, the device may be .jarred, or driven downwardly, to aid in lowering the remover through the parain zone.

A still-further object of the invention is .to-

provide an improved parafiin scraping device having means for forcing the same downwardly through a parain zone, said means being releasably connected to the device, together' with gripping means, whereby an upward pull upon said means serves to lock sai-d device in the tubing and also releases the connection between said means and said device, thus permitting removal of said means while the device remains locked g effect retraction of said means to permit upward removal of the device from the tubing. A construction designed to carry out the in` vention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure l is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of an improved paraflin removing device, constructed in accordance with the invention and showing the same being lowered through the well tubing, y

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse, vertical, sectional view of the device, illustrating the same locked in position against upward movement within the tubing, l

Figure 3 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, and illustrating-the rst step in the method of removing said device upwardly through the-tubing,

Figure 4 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showingA the device being removed from said tubing,

Figure 5 is an enlarged, horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure l,

Figure 6 is an enlarged, horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 6-5 of Figure 2,

Figure '7 is an enlarged, horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2,

Figure 8 is an enlarged, horizontal, cross-sec-v tional view, taken on the line 9--5 of Figure 2,

Figure 9 is an enlarged, horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 2.

Figure 10 is an enlarged, horizontal, crosssectional view, taken on the line Ill-I0 of Figure 2,

Figure 11 is a view, similar to Figure 2, of a modified form of the invention, with the parts in their respective positions during the lowering operation,

Figure 12 is a similar view, illustrating the device being removed from the tubing, and

Figure 13 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing a modified form of scraping element attached to the lower end of the device.

In the drawings, the numeral III designates an elongate mandrel having an axial bore II extending therethrough. The upper portion of the outer surface of the mandrel is substantially cylindrical and a slip supporting sleeve I3 is slidable longitudinally on this portion. 'I'he sleeve is formed with an outwardly directed, an-

T-shaped slots I 8 therein, which slots are spacedequidistant therearound and the upper ends of gripping elements I1, which upper ends' are also T-shaped (Figure 4), are inserted within said slots A retaining ring I8, which fits within an annular groove formed in the collar, surrounds said collar` and prevents outward displacement of the gripping elements from said slots. Manifestly, the gripping elements are suspended from the sleeve I3 and are movable radially with relation to the mandrel. For limiting the movement of the sleeve on the mandrel, the latter is formed with an external flange I9, preferably integral therewith. As is clearly shown in Figure 2, this flange is slotted to permit the gripping elements I1 to extend therethrough. .A

-confining ring surrounds the flange and confines the elements within the slots of said flange, whereby said gripping elements are retained in close proximity to the outer surface of the mandrel. As is clearly shown 'in Figure 8, the gripping elements are spaced from each other, whereby vertical fluid passages F are formed therebetween to permit a free and unrestricted flow past the mandrel.`

Immediately below the `flange I9 the surface of the mandrel is flared or inclined outwardly to form a slip expanding portion 2I. Each gripping element I1 includes an arcuate slip 22 at its lower end and the inner surface of the slips 4), and immediately below the flange I9, they are retracted and out of engagement with the tubing wall; however, movement of the mandrel upwardly with relation to the slipscauses the outward radial movement thereof to the position shown in Figures 1 to 3, whereby said slips engage the tubing wall; in such position, the mandrel cannot be displaced upwardly within the tubing. Vertical grooves .are formed in the outer surface of each slip and extend throughout the length thereof to provide additional iluid passages.

'I'he upper end of the bore II of the mandrel III is enlarged as shown at 24 and receives a reduced shank 25, which is formed on the lower end of a cylindrical rod or connecting element 29. The shank is releasably connected to the mandrel by a frangibie shear pin 21, which extends through a diametricaily disposed opening 2 5' in the shank and through radial openings 22 formed in the mandrel. The upper end of the rod or connecting element 29 has a fishing neck 29 preferably formed integral therewith, and as is clearly shown in Figure 2, the lower endI of the fishing neck has a larger diameter than the external diameter of the rod, whereby an external annular shoulder 39 is formed therebetween. A coiled spring 3l surrounds the rod or connecting element 29 and has. its lower end engaging -the upper end of the sleeve or slip carrier I3. The upper end of the coiledv spring 3| abuts the underside of the shoulder 30 and is secured to the rod or connecting element by means of a suitable screw 32, which screw is secured within a radial threaded opening 33 formed in the element. The coiled spring constantly exerts its force to urge the slip carrier and the slips carried thereby downwardly with relation to the mandrel III. A

The upper end of the fishing neck 29 is formed with an upwardly extending connecting pin 34 which is provided with external screw threads and the lower end of a suitable jar device 35 is threaded onto this pin. The jar may be of any suitable construction and is shown as comprising a stationary member 38 which is inter-connected with an upper member 31 in the usual manner. The upper member is movable through a slot 36' formed in the lower member, whereby a jarring or hammering action may be imparted to said lower member in the 'usual manner. A weight 39 is coupled to the upper end of the jar 35 and has a wire line or cable socket 39 connected `to its upper end. l.A wire line, cable, or other flexible line, 49 has its lower end connected to the socket 39 and its upper end extends to engage and ride upon the inclined surface 2I of the mandrel. The outer surface of each slip is formed with gripping teeth 23 which are adapted to engage the inner wall of the well tubing A to prevent upward displacement or movement of the slips and mandrel. When the slips 22 are at the upper end of the inclined portion 2| (Figure the surface of the well, whereby the device may be lowered through the well tubing on said line.

The lower end of the bore II Aoi! the mandrel is internally screw-threaded as shown at 4I, whereby an upwardly extending threaded pin 42, which is formed on a scraper member 43, may be threaded thereinto. The scraper member includes a solid, cylindrical shank 44, which has the pin 42 extending upwardly therefrom. The lower end of the shank is enlarged, as shown in Figure 3, and has a pair of diametricaily opposed arms 45 depending therefrom, which arms are arcuate in cross-section and have their lower lends secured to a scraper ring 49. It is desirable that the shank, arms and ring be made integral with each other. Manifestlyysince the arms 45 are diametricaily opposite each other, the space between said arms forms openings 41, whereby communication between the interior of than the bore of the well tubing A andthe extreme lower end of said ring is bevelled or inclined outwardly at 48 so as to form an annular cutting edge or point.

The device is particularly adapted to 'be lowered through the tubing while the well iluids are flowing upwardly vtherein and during the lowering operation, the parts are in the position shown in Figure l, the device being suspended from the cable 40. The device is lowered downwardly through the well tubing A and through the well iluids or liquids which are iiowing upwardly' therethrough. The well fluids freely by-pass the scraper element or member 43 through the ports 41 and then iiow upwardly through the iiuid passages F which are formed between the gripping elements and thence upwardly through the tubing. During the lowering operation, the arcuate slim 22 areat the lower end of the mandrel in an expanded position and engage the wall surface of the bore of the tubing A, but since said devicev is moving downwardly, and also due to the disposition of the teeth of the slips, said slips do not grip the wall surface but merely ride therealong. The coiled spring 3|, which is exerting its pressure downwardly on the upper end of the slip carrier |3, is relatively light and serves to hold the slips at the lower end of the inclined portion 2| of the mandrel and prevents the frictional engagement of the slips with the tubing wall from moving said slips upwardly-as the device is lowered. Thus, during the lowering of the device, the slips and mandrel move as a unit, with the slips in their outer or expanded position.

Since the scraping ring 46 is of substantially the same diameter as the bore of the tubing, it will be manifest that the annular cutting edge of said ring will contact the parailin whichy has adhered to the wall of the tubing. This ring will serve to scrape said parailln from the tubing wall and the loosened paramn willbe carried upwardly through the openings 41 and upwardly past the device by the iluid which is ilowing upwardly in the well. Thus, as the device is lowered through the well tubing, the scraping ring 46 serves to eillciently remove the parailin from the wall of the tubing, and the iiowing well fluids are utilized to immediately carry the removed parailin to the surface. The lowering iluids will also contact the parailin laver prior to its removal and will aid the scraper to some Vextent in eiecting removal. In the event that there is any tendency of the. device to stick or hang during the lowering of the same, the provision of the jar 35, which is connected between the wire line or cable 40 and thecylindrical rod or connecting element 26, permits the device to be device there may be a sudden upward surge of the well uid or liquid, or a sudden high pressure may be built up in the tubing. In such event, this pressure would act against the scraper member 43 which is connected directly to the mandrel I0, whereby said mandrel. as well as the entire device, would be urged upwardly by the pressure. As explained, the slips are at the lower end of the inclined portion oi the mandrel in their expanded position in engagement with the tubing wall. Any upward thrust against ,the mandrel tending to move the mandrel upwardly will result in the slips immediately biting into or gripping the tubing wall.- Such gripping'o! the tubing by the teeth 23 oi.' the slips prevents an upward movement or displacement oi' the mandrel or of the device. It is noted that the gripping action of the slipsl will be'aided by the coiled spring 3|, which is constantly urging said slips downwardly with relation to thevmandrel. A continued force exerted against the underside of the mandrel will merely act to force the slips into tighter` gripping engagement with the tubing. From the foregoing, it will be seen'that in the event of a sudden high pressure below the device, or of a sudden upward surge of the well fluid during the lowering operation, the slips, which are constantly in engagementv with the tubing wall, will immediately grip the tubing tc arrestI upward movement of, the device and thereby prevent the same from being blown upwardly from the well tubing.

After the condition which has caused they slips to grip or bite into the tubing has ceased, it is only necessary to jar downwardly on the rod or connecting element 26, whereby the mandrel will be jarred downwardly relative to the slips which are engaging the wall of the tubing. Such downward movement of the mandrel i0 will cause the mandrel to be moved downwardly with relation to the slips so as to move said slips upwardly on the inclined portion 2|. The upward movement of the slips on the inclined portion 2| ofthe mandrel will result in a retraction oi' said slips to disengage the teeth thereof from their gripping position with the tubingwall, after which the lowering of` the device may be continued. As soon as the teeth are disengaged from gripping position and lowering continued, the coiled spring 3| immediately urges the slips downwardly toward the lower end of the inclined portion, whereby said teeth of'the slips again ride along on the tubing wall, as'has been explained.

After the device has been moved through the parailin zone in the well tubing A to remove said paraflin from the wall of said tubing, an'upwa'rd jar is imparted to themandrei through the jar and rod 26, by manipulating the wire line or cable 46, whereby said mandrel is urged upward- Iy. Such action results in the teeth of the vslips biting into or gripping the tubing wall so as to lock the device against upward movement within.

the tubing. Continued upward jarring on the wire line or cable willexert suiicient upward force on the rod 26 to shear the'frangible kpin 21, whereby the jar 35' and rod 26 may beremoved from the well tubing, as is shown in Figure 3. Since the coiled-spring 3| has its upper end secured to the rod orelement 26, said coiled spring will be removed therewith. j

After the removal of the jar and rod, a suitable shing or removing tool may be lowered through the well tubing on a wire line so that its gripping elements 49 (Figurei) may be engaged beneath the shoulder |4'on the upper end of the slip carrying sleeve |3. This tool may include a.y

jar (not shown) so that the mandrel may, be

jarred downwardly with relation to the slips to' release the latter. The line and shing tool are then raised, whereby the sleeve I3 and gripping readily removed from the tubing` elements il are raised with relation to the inandrel l0. 'Ihe slips move upwardly on the inclined portion 2l until they abut the extending shoulder il on the mandrel. In this position, as is clearly shown in Figure 4, the slips are retracted and a continued upward movement will result in a removal of the device from` the well tubing A. Thus.,it will-be seen that the device may be by means of a wire line or cable.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a simple said device. The arrangement permits the slips to be disengaged from their gripping'position to -continue the lowering operation afterthe high pressure or other condition which creates the force below the device ceases. After the run is completed 'and the parailin has` been removed, the devicey may be readilyremoved by means of a wire line after the jar and the connecting rod 26 have been disconnected from the mandrel by shearing the pin 21.

, It may not be desirable `to remove the jar and connecting element 28 separately from the mandrel and slip assembly, as is the case in the form shown in Figures l to 10. In order to permit the removal of all of the parts as a single and complete assembly, the device Vmay-be con-v structed as shown in Figures 11 and 12. In this form of the invention, the mandrel I l is'lconstructed in the same manner and has the paraiiln scraping element 42 threaded into its lower end. The gripping elements i1 are mounted on the mandrel so as to move vertically with relation thereto and, instead of being carried by the slip carrying sleeve I3, said slips are supported by an elongate slip supporting sleeve Ita. 'I'he lower end of this sleeve is slidable on the upper portion of the mandrel and is provided with radial T- shaped slots lia similar to the slots I6 sleeve I2.

'I'he sleeve lla is of sufficient length receive in the a connecting rod or element 26a, which is similar in construction to the rod 2i in the first form. 'I'he element 26a is provided with a reduced shank 25a which is insertable within ythe upper end of the bore of the mandrel Il and is connected thereto by the shear pin 21. An external, annular flange or collar Il is preferably formed integral with the connecting rod 26a and this collar is disposed within the sleeve Ila, having a slightly smaller diameterl than said sleeve. The coiled spring 3| is confined between the collar Il and an internal snoumer tl which is formed within the bore of the sleeve i311 near the lower end thereof. force to urge the slip carrying sleeve Ila down'- wardly so as to maintain the slips 22 at the lower end of the mandrel Il.

The upper end of the sleeve 13a is closed by an annular cap or collar I2 which is threaded into the upper end of the sleeve and which surrounds the extended upper end of the connect-- 'Ihe spring 2| constantly exerts itsl ing element 26a. The extreme upper end of the 75 element2la is formed with a threaded pin il which is connected to the lower end of the jar Il. The operation of this form. during the lowering of the device through the paraiiin zone, is

substantiallythe same as that of the form shown and thereby arrest upward displacement of the. I device, as has been explained. When the device has been locked against upward movement and..-

the force therebelow ceases, the jar Il is utilized to Jar downwardly on the mandrel Il and release the slips from their gripping position to permit continued lowering of the device.

After the paraffin removing operation has been completed and it is desired to remove the form shown in Figures 11 and 12 from the tubing, it is only necessary to'pull upwardly on the wire line or cable carrying the device, whereby an upward pull is transmitted to the mandrel IU through the jar 25 and connecting element 26a. This causes the teeth of the slips to grip the tubing wall and arrest further upward movement of the device. Upward jarring on the connecting element 26a may be produced by manipulating the wire linel and such upward jarring will shear the pin 2l to disconnect .the element 26a from the mandrel. A downward lar is then imposed on the mandrel III through the jar 25 and connecting element 26a and such jar moves the mandrel downwardly with relation to the slips until the flange I9 strikes the upper end of the slips. In

- such position, the slips are retracted and by exerting an upward pull on the line, the entire device may be removed from the tubing. It is manifestthat in this form of the invention, it is prior to, the removal of the mandrel and slip assembly. Therefore, it is possible to remove the entire device with one lifting operation.

It is pointed out that any suitable scraping member which will eillciently remove-the paraiiln from the tubing wall lmay be employed and, in Figure 13, a modified form of scraping member has been shown. This scraping member includes an elongate curved blade il, which is reduced toward its lower end, the upper end of said blade being secured to a sleeve Il The sleeve is rotatable on a shaft l2 which depends from a coupling element S3, said element being threaded into the lower end of the mandrel il. The mounting of the sleeve 5I on the shaft 'l2 is clearly shown in Figure 13 and said shaft is provided with a spacer block 54 which is secured to itsl lower end and which is insertable within the sleeve Il. Suitable bearings 55 are interposed between the lowerend of the block M and the bore of the sleeve.

An upper bearing assembly Il is mounted-'on the block I4 and within the bore of the sleeve, said bearing assembly being retained in position by a flanged collar or gland I1 which is threaded into the *upper end of the sleeve and which surrounds the shaft. With the above-arrangement, it will be manifest that the sleeve Il which carries the elongate curved scraper blade Il isfreely vaile'zsie rotatable on the shaft' 52. Since the shaft depends from the coupling 53 which is secured to the mandrel I0, it will be obvious that the scraper blade 50 is freely rotatable with relation to the mandrel.

The operation of this form of the invention is substantially the same as the form hereinbefore described, with the exception that the blade 50 rotates as the device is lowered through the parailin zone. Such rotation is caused by the iiowing fluid within the well tubing A striking the curved blade and rotating the same. arrangement increases the eniciency ofthe re- This moval of the paraiiin as the blade not` only scrapes the wall of the tubing, but also directs the uid into direct contact with said wall, whereby a scouring action is obtained. Manifestly, the flowing uid serves to immediately carry the removed parafn. to the surface. It is obvious that either form of scraper member may be employed with any of the structures herein described. In all cases, the slips are in a position contacting the tubing wall during the lowering operation and immediately grip the tubing to arrest upward displacement of the device when an excessive upward force occurs below the device.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A paraflin removing device including, a support, a scraping member carried by the support for removing paraiiin from a tubular conductor as the device is lowered therethrough, and meansA on the support arranged to lock the device against upward movement in the conductor in the event an upward force is exerted against the lower end of the device, whereby said device is prevented from being forced upwardly and out of the conductor during the lowering operation.

2. A parainn removing device adapted to be lowered through a 'well tubing and including, a support, a scraping member carried -by the support for removing theparaflin from the wall of the tubing as the same is lowered therethrough, radially movable gripping elements on said support normally in a non-gripping position to permit lowering of the support and scraping member, and means for causing the gripping elements .to grip the wall of the tubing in the event the support is urged upwardly, whereby upward displacement of the device from the well tubing during the lowering operation is prevented.

3. A paramn removing device adapted to be lowered through a well tubing and including, a support, a scraping member carried by the support forremoving the paraflm from the wall of the tubing as the same is lowered therethrough, retractible gripping elements on said support normally in a non-gripping position permitting lowering of the support and scraping member, the gripping elements being arranged to immediately grip the wall of the tubing in the event support, ascraping member carried'by the support for removing the paraiiin from the wall of the tubing as the same is lowered therethrough, movable gripping elements on said support normally in a position engaging the tubing Without gripping the same to permit lowering of the support and member, means for causing the gripping elements to bite into and grip the wall of the tubing in the event the support is urged' upwardly, whereby upward displacement of the device during the lowering operation is prevented, and-means for retracting said gripping elements and for holding thesame in a retracted position to permit removal of the device from the well tubing.

v5. A parain removing device adapted to be lowered through a well tubing including, a mandrel, means for connecting the mandrel to a iexible line by which said mandrel' may be lowered through the tubing, a scraping member carried by the mandrel for removing the paraffin from the tubing as the mandrel is lowered therethrough, gripping means slidable on the mandrel and normally in a non-gripping position to allow lowering thereof, and means on the mandrel coacting with said gripping means for urging and holding the same in gripping position upon relative upward movement of said mandrel, whereby upward displacement of the device in the tubing is prevented in the event the mandrel is urged upwardly during the lowering operation.

6. A parafdn removing device adapted to be lowered through a well tubing including, a mandrel, means Vfor connecting the mandrel to a exible line by which said mandrel may be lowered through the tubing, a scraping member carried by the mandrel for removing the paraffin from the tubing as the mandrel is lowered therethrough, gripping means slidable on the mandrel and normally in a non-gripping position to allow lowering thereof, means on the mandrel coacting with said gripping means for urging the same into gripping position upon relative upward movement of said mandrel, whereby upward displacement of the device is prevented in the event the mandrel is urged upwardly during the lowering operation, and a jarring device interposed between the mandrel and flexible line for imparting a downward movement to the mandrel to move the same downwardly relative to the gripping means to release said means and permit continued lowering of the device.

7. A paramn removing device adapted to" be lowered through a well tubing including, a mandrel, means forl connecting the mandrel to a l flexible line by which said mandrel may be lowthe support is urged upwardly, whereby upward movement of the device is arrested, and means for retracting said gripping elements from their gripping position to permit continued lowering of the device.

4. A paramn removing device adapted to be lowered through a well tubing and including, a

v drel, means for connecting the mandrel to a exi.

ering operation, and means for retracting the gripping means and for holding the same in a retracted position, whereby the device may be removed from the well.

8. A parafiin removing device adapted to be lowered through a well tubing including, a manible line by which-said mandrel may be lowered through the tubing, a scraping member carried by the mandrel for removing` the paraiiin from the tubing `as the mandrel is lowered therethrough, gripping means slidable on the mandrel and normally in a non-gripping position to allow lowering thereof, means on the mandrel coacting with said gripping means ior urging the same` into gripping position upon relative upward movement oi' said mandrel, whereby upward displacement of the device is prevented in the event -the mandrel is urged upwardly during the lowering operation, a jarring device interposed between the mandrel and ilexible line `for imparting a downward movement to the mandrel to `move the same downwardlyl relative to the gripping means to release said means and permit continued lowering oi the device, a connec element interposed between the ilexible line and mandrel, a shear pin connecting the element and the mandrel, whereby said element may be removed from the mandrel by shearing said pin, and means adapted to be lowered through the tubing and engageable with the gripping means for retracting said means to permit removal oi the device from the well.

9. A paratiln removing device. adapted to be lowered through a well tubing and including, a

support, an annular scraper having a sharp cutting edge carried by the support for removing` the parafilni'rom the wall of the tubing as the same is lowered therethrough, expansible gripping elements onsaid support normally in. an expanded and non-gripping position to permit low- .ering ot the support and scraping member, and

the support ior removing the paramn from the wall of the tubing as the same is lowered there-l through,` expansible gripping elements on said support normally in an expanded and non-gripping position to permit loweringv of the support and scraping member, and means for effecting the gripping action oi said elementswith the wall oi' the tubing in the event the support is urged upwardly, whereby upward displacement of the device for 'forcing the support downwardly through an accumulation oi' paraiiin, and a frangible connection-between the support and l the jarring device, whereby said device may be disconnected from the support and removed individually from the well. l

' 13. A parailin removing device adapted to be lowered through a well tubing and including, a

support, a scraping member carried by the sup'- port for removing the paramn from the wall of i the tubing as ,the same is lowered therethrough, the scraping member having a relatively large by-pSS opening to permit a substantially unrel I strictediiow of fluid past said means as the deand means for eiiecting agripping action of the elements with the wall oi' the tubing in the event the support is urged upwardly, whereby upward displacement of the device from the well tubing during the lowering operation ,is prevented.

414..,A parailln removing device adapted to be.

lowered through a well tubing and including, a

support, a'scraping member carried by the support for removing the paraiiin from thewall of the tubing as the same is lowered therethrough,

radially movable gripping elements 'on said support normally in a non-gripping position to per- -mit lowering 'of the support and scraping member, by-pass means on the device for by-passing iiuidthereby so as to allow lowering of the device through upwardly owing well fluid, and means for causing the gripping elements to grip the wall oiy the tubing in the event the support is urged upwardly, whereby upward displacement oi the4 operation is prevented.

15.,A paramn removing device for wells including, a support, scraping means carried by said support, tubing gripping means movably `mounted on the support and arranged to permit lowering of the device and to assume a gripping position upon a relative upward movement of the support, and lowering means releasably oondevice during the lowering operation is prevented.

11. A paramn removing device adapted to be lowered through a well tubing and including, a support, a rotatable scraping element having a curved scraping blade which is `rotated by the well iluids contacting the same, said element being carried by the support for removing the paramn'irom the wall of the tubing as the same is lowered therethrough, .expansible gripping elements on said support normally in an expanded and non-gripping position to permit lowering oi the support and scraping member, and means for eirecting a gripping action oi' the elements with the wall of the tubing in the event the support is urged upwardly, whereby upward dis placement of the device during the lowering opexcessive pressure occurs therebelow, a jarring nected to the support for moving said support downwardly through an accumulation of paramn, said last .named means being adapted to coact with the tubing gripping means `when disconnected from the support, whereby said lowering means may be employed to retract the gripping means and raise the device from the well. 16. A parailln removing device for wells in- `cluding, a support, scraping means carried by Isaid support, tubing gripping means movably mounted on the support and arranged. to permit lowering of the device. and to assume a gripping position upon the occurrence of an excessive pressure below the device, whereby upward displacement of said device is prevented, an elongate connecting element havingits lower -end releasably connected to the support-which is suspended therefrom during' the lowering operation, and means extendinglupw'rardly fromA the tubing gripping means and arranged to coact with the connecting element when the latter is disconnected 'from' the support, whereby' said element may be utilized to retract the gripping means and to lift the device from the well.

17. A paranin removing device including, a support, a scraping member carried by the support for removing the parailin from a well pipe as the device is lowered therethrough, expansible gripping means on the support disposed to lock the device against upward movement in the pipe in the event an upward force is exerted on the device, a sleeve slidable on the support and having the gripping means mounted thereon, a supporting rod detachably fastened to the upper end of the support and extending through the sleeve, said rod being arranged to co-act with the sleeve when detached from the support to effect removal of the device by an upward movement of the rod.

18. A paraffin removing device including, a support, a scraping member carried by the support for removing the paraflin from a well pipe as the device is lowered therethrough, expansible gripping slips slidable on the support and disposed to lock the device against upward movement in the pipe in the event an upward force is exerted upon the device, a supporting rod detachably secured to the support and extending upwardly therefrom, a sleeve surrounding said rod and slidable relative thereto, said sleeve having the gripping slips suspended therefrom, resilient means associated with the rod and sleeve for urging the sleeve and slips carried, thereby downwardly of the support toward a gripping position, means for detaching the rod from the support upon an upward pull on said rod, and means on said rod adapted to co-act with the sleeve when said rod is disconnected from the support for imparting an upward movement to the sleeve upon an upward movement of the rod.

19. A paraflin removing device for wells adapted to be lowered through the tubing while well uids are flowing upwardly therein which includes, the combination of a longitudinal support, scraping means carried by said support, means for suspending the support while it is being raised and lowered in the well, means connected in the suspending means actuatable for positively forcing said support downwardly to force the scraper through an accumulation of parain, tubing gripping means movable independently of the support and the suspending means for anchoring the device in the tubing against upward displacement in the tubing by the well uids, and means for releasably connecting the support and said support-forcing means.

20. A parafiin scraper as set forth in claim 19 wherein the said support-forcing means is connected to the support to be released entirely therefrom and removed from the Well so as to leave the support anchored therein.

21. A paraffin scraper as set forth in claim 19 wherein the entire scraper has a relatively large by-pass opening to permit an unrestricted flow of well uid thereby as the device is lowered into the well, and a frangible connection between the support and the support-forcing means terminating short of the tubing gripping means,

22. A paraffin removing device for Wells adapted to be lowered through the tubing against an upward flow of well uid under pressure which includes, an elongate support, a paran-displacing element carried by the support having a rigid wall scraping edge and also having a well uid by-passing opening, means for suspending the support while the device is being lowered in the well and while parain is being scraped, and tubing-gripping elements free to act independently of the suspending means while the device is being lowered in the tubing to anchor it against upward displacement by the well fluids.

IRA A. MILLER. 

